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Need ideas for moving a generator

I was presented with a dilemma recently.
Whenever the power goes out, a 130lb generator needs to be moved across a stone driveway and up 6' feet of stairs onto a back porch when it's put into service.

The owner does not want to purchase one of the expensive wheel kits for it.
Those wheels are small and would make it difficult to roll across the driveway.

Ideas we had were:
Some kind of modified hand truck with big tires and a retaining strap.
Two boards placed on the steps to act as ramps with the hand truck.
A homemade dolly with larger tires that would roll over anything.

Re: Need ideas for moving a generator

Thanks.
It cannot be used from its storage location.
For long term storage its being kept indoors when not in use to keep it in good condition.
When you pay for a Honda inverter genset you want to take care of it.

That hand truck just might work.
An appliance hand truck had been looked at but the wheels were small.

Re: Need ideas for moving a generator

Hi All.

Does the generator actually have to be moved to the porch??? Why not run an extension cord from the generator to the house. (Note: be sure to move the generator outside so that the exhaust does not kill somebody.)

If you are running a light load like a tv or computer a contractor's extension cord (#12 wire) should be good enough.

If you are using most of the output of the generator (5000W??) I would use #6 or larger wire depending on the distance. Find a buddy locally that has some electrical knowelege to size out the wire.

I have a camp off-the-grid I run 1000W thru 150 feet of #12 wire without a problem.

Re: Need ideas for moving a generator

I would go with an appliance dolly that has the belts like Radar Sidetrack mentioned.

The correct solution of course is to the relocate the generator closer to the house and wire it to a transfer switch so that when the power goes out all you have to do is start it. I have a Honda 3000is and they're so quiet you can't hear them running through a closed window.

Nobody ruins my day without my permission, and I refuse to grant it...

Re: Need ideas for moving a generator

HTC, thats funny but when an ice storm hits, some of those friends just arent committed enough to beer to venture out for a 6 pack. LOL

We have a small Yamaha 1000k inverter to run our pellet stove when the power goes out.
If we ever have the chance to get a new home, we are putting in a transfer switch for a larger generator.

And if you have money, there are numerous correct solutions.
But this is what he has to work with.
His needs to run two refrigerators and a few other small items as needed.
A transfer switch in that situation is more of an expensive convenience than a need.
Getting back to the topic, with the appliance dolly he will have to figure out some kind of base to extend under it because normally those aren't too long.

Re: Need ideas for moving a generator

I still like the beer system

But do not understatement what can be done with couple boards bolted to the bottom of the generator and then use pipe rollers to roll it around. With a come-along( cable ratchet hoist) it can be pulled up the stairs. It should not take much for a small generator now once you get over 400 or 500 pounds then that is different.

Re: Need ideas for moving a generator

Harbor freight electric winch, tie downs to structure!
Mount the winch to the generator. Fire up the generator, run out the cable and make it move itself. The more pulleys the longer it will take with less winch. Going up is easy, down may be a bit tricky.

“Why do we fall, sir? So that we might learn to pick ourselves up” Alfred Pennyworth Batman Begins (2005)